Processing time for visa-exemption certificates at overseas missions reduced to one day

This change is outlined in Decision No. 2109/QD-TTg, approved by the Prime Minister, as part of a broader initiative to streamline administrative procedures under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2025.

The decision covers the reduction and simplification of procedures across seven key areas: the press; privileges and immunities; international conferences and seminars; activities of research organisations and bilateral cooperation; visa exemption; entry and exit; and notarisation.

These reforms will enable more services to be processed online via the National Public Service Portal, significantly reducing turnaround times. For foreign media, this includes applications to establish permanent offices in Viet Nam, assign resident correspondents to provinces and cities, or obtain press permits for visiting journalists.

Foreign nationals applying for visas from abroad will also be able to submit their applications by post to Vietnamese visa-issuing agencies.

The timeframe for notarising the authenticity and legality of contracts and transactions has been shortened from two working days to within 24 hours. More complex cases will now be processed within a maximum of six days, down from ten.

Additionally, government agencies will be permitted to use digital signatures and seals when submitting applications for diplomatic and official passports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ domestic offices.